July 2011- Sunday's Adventures

Internet is scarce here at camp. Apologies for the delays! :)

We spent the day learning about Hope Unlimited's operations and got a tour of the school facility called the City of Youth which houses the boys' ranch. We saw all the classrooms, learned about the training the kids receive and how Hope Unlimited prepares their kids for success in the real world after they graduate from the program. Along with the regular academic courses, the kids are taught a trade so they can get a job right out of the program. In fact, the auto shop classes are so elite that mechanics actually come to Hope Unlimited to recruit the latest graduates!! How exciting!

After that, we had a homemade lunch with the girls at their ranch and played more games of soccer and volleyball. While we were there, we surprised them with keyboards donated by a former PAC Brazil team member (pics to come). We told the girls how we wanted them to build on their extraordinary musical talents and learn another instrument in addition to the drum, guitar and recorder lessons they receive at school. Hopefully when the next team comes down, the entire Hope Worship team will be comprised completely of kids! That would be amazing.

We had the unique experience to worship with the Hope Unlimited graduate church at night. Some of our team led worship (one song in Portguguese, I might add) and had communion with the body of believers here in Brazil. Service was amazing and we were challenged to lay our burdens at the cross, surrendering every part of our hearts to Christ for His purposes. How fitting that we would hear a word like that the night before a week of camp started.

We arrived at camp late Sunday night before the kids got here tomorrow morning. We got settled and unpacked ALL the supplies necessary to run a week of camp for 160 people. That’s a lot of rice, beans, drinks, lettuce, potatoes, blankets, pillows…you get the picture.

A good night's rest is in store to prepare for the fun that awaits us...